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'Halo 5' will run in 'true 4K' on Xbox One X
Halo 5 is getting the "true 4K" treatment with the Xbox One X. During Halo 5's pre-release hype cycle, Microsoft said that it was so focused on hitting 60 frames per-second with the game that there weren't any sacred cows -- including split-screen co-op, a series staple. Maybe don't expect that to return with the Xbox One X's more powerful innards, though.
I played through 'Halo 5: Guardians' solo and hated it
This article contains spoilers. Proceed at your own risk. Halo 5: Guardians is not the Halo you remember. It's a different kind of game altogether, something that more closely resembles a modern first-person shooter that focuses on multiplayer rather than a strong solo experience. This isn't the first time that's happened, but it is the first time in 11 years that a new Halo campaign feels like a massive step backward compared to its predecessor. Microsoft-owned studio 343 Industries is capable of better than this and proved as much with its killer freshman effort, Halo 4. But instead of addressing what it got wrong with that installment (e.g., an unexplained main villain) and doubling down on what it did right (e.g., an emotional storyline and constantly varying gameplay), the team fundamentally altered how a Halo campaign works to horrendous results.
Microsoft built Halo 5's weapons 'from scratch' for Xbox One
Halo 5: Guardians' soundtrack isn't the only aspect of the game's audio that got an overhaul -- the developers at 343 Industries had to reimagine what the Xbox One exclusive's weapons sound like, too. Because of the sheer amount of sounds happening at once during firefights, 343 had to figure out some creative ways to keep the aural calamity in check. It's quite a bit different in scale from 343's last outing, 2012's Halo 4, where there was a handful of characters on screen simultaneously, as opposed to 40 or 50 in the forthcoming sequel. "We have many more sounds and the mixing is a very challenging situation," 343 Industries audio director Sotaro Tojima said in a recent interview. "We're establishing pretty much all the weapon sounds from scratch again for Xbox One."
These are our favorite video game soundtracks
Music can tame the most savage beast, but when you're slinking around a cargo ship as a super spy, playing cowboy or making your way toward a massive mountain in the distance, sometimes you don't want calm. You want dirty, wistful or haunting tracks to fit the action onscreen. The best video game scores stick with you long after you turn the TV off, though, and that's what we want to highlight here. We're pretty big fans of how they've progressed throughout the years from simple beeps and boops to full-blown symphonic masterpieces that've traveled through concert halls around the world. Just below you'll find the scores the Engadget Gaming crew's most fond of and one that we don't particularly care for but felt like calling attention to anyhow. Have a favorite of your own that didn't make the list? Hit the comments below.
Microsoft unveils three Xbox 360 holiday bundles for Xbox One refuseniks
Microsoft is no stranger to launching Xbox 360 holiday bundles, but it faces a new challenge this year -- it has to include games that won't make us wish we had an Xbox One instead. It may have achieved that feat with a new trio of bundles launching worldwide. Its base 250GB kit ($300) includes both Halo 4 and Tomb Raider, two better games from recent memory. A 4GB Kinect pack (also $300) isn't very memorable with its inclusions of Kinect Adventures and Kinect Sports 2, but a 250GB Kinect offering ($400) supplements these with Forza Horizon. As it did last year, Microsoft is also slashing $50 off the US price of these holiday systems between launch (around October 13th) and the end of the holiday season. We're sure that many would still prefer the latest and greatest Xbox as a gift, but a new 360 bundle could be a nice consolation prize.
Microsoft working on a fix for Halo 4 SmartGlass issues, arriving in 'the coming weeks'
Microsoft's SmartGlass and Microsoft's Halo 4 apparently aren't quite getting along on Windows Phone 8 devices. Using SmartGlass, Halo 4 players can normally access their stats and other info about their android supersoldier using the long-established Waypoint service -- except for Windows Phone 8 users, apparently. A forum thread dating back to Halo 4's November launch highlights the issue -- as Xbox.com forum user "Scion Eon" puts it: "Whenever I try to log into SmartGlass on my phone while playing Halo 4, I am immediately greeted with a message that says 'Your device is missing certain required features.'" As it turns out, Mr. Eon isn't the only one experiencing said connectivity issues -- specific to Windows Phone 8 devices -- and Microsoft's aware of the situation. "We are aware that there is an issue with the Xbox SmartGlass experience for 'Halo Waypoint' on Windows Phone 8 devices, which may prevent users from accessing Halo 4 player stats," a Microsoft rep told us this afternoon. Thankfully, Redmond's also taking care of a solution. "We are actively working on a fix and expect to have a solution within the coming weeks. We appreciate your patience as this gets resolved and apologize for any inconvenience this causes," the statement reads. Of course, should you want to access Halo 4's Waypoint functionality on SmartGlass before that fix, you can always use Microsoft's competitor's devices. But then who'd do that? [Thanks Colin!]
Yes, that 'Halo 4' on the App Store is obviously fake
If you're an app developer that's ever had trouble getting your handiwork approved for release on the App Store, we hope you have your blood pressure medication handy. If you're not, you're in for a good laugh. It seems that Apple let not one, but two apps claiming to be Microsoft's blockbuster first-person -- and Xbox 360-exclusive -- shooter Halo 4 slip through its stringent approval process. Apps that not only call themselves "Halo 4" and have official-looking icons, but ape the game's description in their metadata and even use screenshots of the console game. One of the counterfeits is a simple chess game and the other is a racing title, and both sell for the reasonable amount of US$4.99. [Note: Between writing this up and the time it was published, both apps appear to have been pulled.] Perhaps just as mind-boggling as their approval is the fact that each has dozens of glowing, five-star reviews. So, this tale serves as a one-two punch of commentary on not just the obviously porous approval process, but an easily exploited review system as well. Not that you'd want to, but we can only imagine that your window to purchase either mobile version of Master Chief's latest adventure (or not) is rapidly shrinking. Now, if you'll excuse us, we'll be getting "Grand Theft Auto" ready to submit for approval. [Via Gizmodo]
Must See HDTV (November 5th - 11th)
Halo 4 After more than a decade the Halo series is still going strong, although development has moved from Bungie to 343 Industries. Fans shouldn't let that switch worry them however, as Joystiq's review assures it is a "decadent show of strength" for the series that lives up to its predecessors in single player, co-op and multiplayer. A new co-op mode that's updated weekly will also probably help find some allies instead of foul-mouthed adversaries should you choose to head online. There's a trailer after the break, but we're pretty sure you already know if this is the game for you. ($59.99 on Amazon) Entourage The Complete Series If you'd like to see every season of Entourage in HD, this is your chance. The complete series is coming to Blu-ray (yes, before The Sopranos) and anyone who caught it during its run on TV can attest to the sharp visual style and always timely soundtrack. Vince and crew have never looked better, and at $140, it's not too expensive for serious fans to enjoy. ($139 on Amazon) Firefly 10th anniversary Browncoats unite. The Science Channel is airing a special reunion of the short-lived show Firefly, complete with never before seen footage and more. Check out the official site for more info and a chance to unlock more exclusive clips, and tune in Sunday night to relive all the action. If you missed the Comic-Con reunion panel, video is embedded after the break. (November 11th, Science, 10PM)
Xbox 360 Halo 4 bundle fights new enemies, packs familiar hardware on November 6th
It's widely considered a tradition: Microsoft readies a new Halo game, and a new Xbox 360 bundle swings by stores to mark the occasion. The Limited Edition Halo 4 Xbox 360 follows that pattern, with a special (if minor) twist. No one will be shocked by the new Halo-themed artwork or the inclusion of a Halo 4 copy in the 320GB system's box, but the ring of light on both the console and its two matching gamepads will drop the Xbox 360's green glow in favor of a distinctive bright blue. At $400, the console arriving November 6th will aim chiefly at the hardest of hardcore sci-fi shooter fans -- although murmurs of an upcoming successor console could make the Halo 4 pack an unofficial swan song for Microsoft's market dominator. Consider the stand-alone $60 special edition wireless controller for a less expensive way to say goodbye.
Mad Catz partnering with Microsoft Studios for Halo 4-branded headsets
Looks like Mad Catz has more up its sleeve than just the Wii U accessories it announced at E3 last week. The company just announced a partnership with Microsoft Studios to create Halo 4-branded gaming headsets. Mad Catz says it worked with sound engineers to make sure the headsets complement Halo's "epic sci-fi universe." Alas, that's about all we know right now. Photos and pricing into remain MIA, though the accessories maker says the products will be available in time for the 2012 holiday season.
Microsoft's new Xbox 360 UI has Bing voice search across Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, and live TV
Quick refreshing of Microsoft's E3 landing page has apparently revealed some of the things it will be announcing within a couple of hours at its E3 press conference, including new features for Xbox Live like Voice Search and new look for the service. With the explosive popularity of the Kinect add-on, it looks like the system is being refashioned with support built in from the ground up as opposed to the current menu system that's more of an afterthought. Also mentioned on the page are Dance Central 2, Kinect Sports Season 2 and most importantly, two new Halo games. One is Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary which appears to be the HD (& possibly 3D) remake leaked by Joystiq previously, while the other is Halo 4 -- no explanation needed. We'll surely find out everything when the press conference kicks off live at 12:30 p.m. Eastern and of course we'll be covering all of the news live right here. Update: Microsoft's just confirmed some of the leaked information onstage at its E3 keynote, with demonstrations of a deeply integrated voice command setup powered by Kinect. YouTube has been announced as an Xbox Live partner, while Bing is coming to the console to let users search across Netflix, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Hulu all at once.That universal search also extends to new live TV partnerships with Sky, Canal+ and Foxtel. Update 2: Want a better look at the revamped Xbox 360 UI that blends in more of a Metro look with the old Kinect UI elements? Look no further than the gallery below. %Gallery-125534% %Gallery-125417% [Thanks, q & Pradeep]
Would You Rather ... Spartans! Edition
In our continuing effort to bring you fresh and interesting content, X3F presents Would You Rather ... a weekly feature that asks you the hard questions. The point? If you had to choose one or the other, which would you go for?In week two of WUR we ask you to decide between a true sequel to Halo in the form of Halo 4 or a Halo first-person massively multiplayer online title. So, putting the Halo storyline aside, we want to know:Feel free to share the reasons for your vote in the comments. We'll share the results of the poll during the next edition of Would You Rather ... which hits X3F every Wednesday.Last weeks surprising results can be find after the jump ... Engage!
Halo 4: Typo, Halo Wars, or real deal? [Update 1]
Update: The auction has been listed at a new location, and no longer extends past Halo 3. Frankie has confirmed that the whole "Halo 4" thing was a sad excuse for a joke.We told you that there is an auction on eBay for a cameo in Halo 3 as a voice over and it comes in at a pricey $1,000 USD as the opening bid. While that's cool and all, the thing that has been grabbing all the attention is that if the winner doesn't do the recording by May 15th, 2007, "this package will have to [be] redeemed for Halo 4." This caused a stir and made people wonder if it was confirmation of a continuation of the story that was slated to conclude in Halo 3, or if they meant Halo Wars, or if it was a ploy to generate hits for the auction. Our friends over at the 'stiq confirmed that the wording came straight from Bungie, but it didn't clear up their intent. Now, though, if you look at the auction page, there is a rewritten description beneath the original. It states that "if you miss this deadline, this opportunity becomes applicable to a future Bungie project." So, that makes a lot more sense, and hopefully someone (with deep pockets) will start bidding on this item, since it's for charity and all. [Via Joystiq. Thanks dpcough]
